MUM of three, Chanel Tomlin, has taken the stress out of Christmas 2022, as all the decorations are taken care of…12 months early.
The secretary from Southend made an unsuspecting visit to fave value store, B&M, but walked out with more than she bargained for when her £252 haul cost only £22 at the till.
She said: "I actually went in just to get makeup wipes – and yes, I forgot those!"
Chanel visited her local B&M at Southend Airport and managed to pick up an abundance of baubles, lights and even a 6ft tree, all for just £22.
In the mix there was also discounted wrapping paper and a star topper to go on her newly purchased tree too.
Most folks don't start their Christmas shopping, including stocking up on all the gear to kit out the house, until later in the year.
But Chanel thinks she's cracked the code to nabbing the best bargains 12 months early, as it's the cheapest time you'll find any of the items on her Christmas wish list.
In total she would have had to fork out £251.50 for the mega festive haul, but January sales and clearance stock meant a whole host of discounts on a number of items that would have been expensive pre-December 25.
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Chanel said: "I spotted the baubles were reduced to £1 and as I had already said to my hubby I wanted new ones for this Christmas, I thought I’d grab some while I could."
But on what was supposed to be a flying visit, it wasn't long before more Christmas discounts caught her eye.
"I started filling my basket and then realised they had boxes of lights, and even Christmas trees for £1," she said.
"So I had to abandon the basket and go get a trolley instead!"
She explained that the only way she'll ever find a good Christmas bargain, is right after the holiday season has ended.
Despite shops having hastily moved on from Santa and his elves to the Easter bunny and all the chocs he'll bring in tow instead, you can still snag some bargains from the holiday past if you know where to look.
Most stores are trying to shift their old stock to make way for all the new Springtime staples, so there's always discounts.
"I'll look as often as I can in early January to find reduced items," Chanel said.
But once Christmas is out of the way she has tricks up her sleeve to bagging price cuts throughout the year too.
"I also have the B&M app, and if you scan already reduced items you can sometimes find them a lot cheaper," she said.
"I’ve found a lamp for 10p, a rug for £2, and even a Halloween costume for 10p before."
She explained that it's definitely worth having a rummage through the bargains as they'll pop up when you least expect – and sometimes when the event you're planning for is completely out of mind, that's when things are cheapest.
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